Victoria Pendleton falls off horse in first big race since switching sports

Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton fell off her horse as she rode her first major race as a jockey - just four weeks until she competes in the Cheltenham Festival.

The 35-year-old came off her horse, Pacha Du Polder, after only completing one circuit at the race track at Fakenham in Norfolk on Friday.

Fortunately, Pendleton, who had been the favourite to win the race, was unhurt after her fall in the six-horse contest.

The cyclist, who is Britain's most successful female Olympian, had hoped to come first in her debut around a full-time, professionally regulated jumps track.

Her horse, Pacha Du Polder, has been a winner at places like Sandown and Newbury and was second in a race over the Grand National fences last year.

Victoria, who had her first riding lesson just one year ago, has been enticed out of retirement to attempt a Switching Saddles challenge, with the aim of transforming from a complete novice to riding at the world's most prestigious jumps racing fixture in 12 months.

She is being sponsored by betting exchange Betfair and is set to compete at Cheltenham in March.